A new approach to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) fibers using a torsion-stretching method and characterization of their piezoelectric properties

A new, simple, and economical approach to fabricate P(VDF-TrFE) fibers using a torsion-stretching method is introduced. The average Young's modulus, strength, and nominal strain of the fibers were 902 MPa, 258.56 MPa, and 35.23%, respectively. Three conventional treatments (mechanical stretching, electrical poling, and annealing-cooling) were conducted to enhance the beta-phase of the P(VDF-TrFE) fibers. All these treatments were effective in enhancing the crystallinity of the beta-phase of the fibers. The maximum beta-phase fraction (60.78%) was obtained from annealing-cooling, while the control group exhibited a beta-phase fraction of only 48.29%. Furthermore, using a carbon-epoxy composite laminate an electro-mechanical test was conducted to estimate the piezoelectric performance of the P(VDF-TrFE) fibers for assessing the relationship between the generated voltage and the compressive force. The maximum generated voltage from the fiber-type sensors treated by annealing-cooling was 0.14 V, which had the highest relative beta fraction among the three treatments. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.